St Arnaud Range

St Arnaud Range Track

Nelson Lakes National Park

St Arnaud Range Track climbs from Lake Rotoiti to Parachute Rocks and the top of St Arnaud Range, in Nelson Lakes National Park. The track is a physically-demanding day walk, but the views from the top are simply breath-taking, and well worth the effort. The name ‘parachute’ comes from the resemblance of the scree slope in the gully immediately north of the track, when viewed from St Arnaud and lake edge below.

St Arnaud, the gateway to Lake Rotoiti and Nelson Lakes National Park, is 75 km (1 hour 15 min) southwest of Nelson and 103 km (1 hr 25 min) west of Blenheim. St Arnaud Range Track begins at the eastern end of Kerr Bay on Lake Rotoiti. There is plenty of parking at the lake edge and next to the DOC campground (see Access tab above). You will see a large information board with a map and times and distances of the various tracks in the area.

Trail Description

St Arnaud Range Track begins at the car park at the eastern end of Kerr Bay, on Lake Rotoiti. The track start is signposted and there is a large information panel with a map and track information. There are several shorter loop walks (Bellbird Track, Honeydew Track and Loop Track) that split off from the main Lakehead Track, so pay attention to the signs indicating the turnoffs to St Arnaud Range.

St Arnaud Range Track forks off to the left from Lakehead Track after 200 m, and then again from Honeydew Track after a further 300 m. The lower slopes of the range are forested in an attractive mix of silver and red beech, with putaputaweta, lemonwood and other broadleaf species in the sub-canopy. The track crosses a series of moraine terraces that indicate the advance and retreat cycles of the glacier that carved out the valley and the depression that the lake now fills. After 1.3 km of gentle climbing Loop Track forks to the right, (eventually linking back with Lakehead Track back on the lake edge) and St Arnaud Range Track heads left across the ephemeral Borlase Stream. The track zig-zags up a truncated spur for 1-2 hr.

The zig-zags become progressively narrower as the tree line is approached. Take note of the altitudinal stratification of the beech forest; red beech transitions to silver beech and then to stunted mountain beech. The tree line is at 1420 m elevation, immediately above which a rocky outcrop offers a great lookout and turn around point if you think the remaining climb to the top of the range is a bit too far.

From here the track is a poled route, heading straight up the range through alpine grass and tussock. This is the steepest section of the track; be very cautious ascending and descending in winter. The top of the range is 1705 m elevation. Here you will enjoy spectacular views west across Lake Rotoiti and east into the unnamed tarn-dotted basins on the eastern side of St Arnaud Range.

You can continue south along the range for 15 min to a high point (1787 m elevation). The range is craggy and narrow, so watch your step, especially when there is snow and ice about. It is possible to head further south along the ridge to the basin that hosts Rainbow Skifield, and Mt McRae (1878 m). This will involve several hours of travel along the top of the range and requires clear, calm weather.

Return the way you came. The descent should take an hour less than the climb.

Trail Images

Trail Safety

St Arnaud Range is an alpine route, so proper preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. This track reaches a high elevation and is exposed above the treeline, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. Be sure to check the Nelson Lakes alpine weather forecast before you go. Take extreme care in snowy or icy conditions as the steep sections toward the top of the range can be very slippery.